OPENING CEREMONY – ROUTE OF TRUCE 2019
On Saturday, May 4, at the Amaliada Cultural Center, the Opening Ceremony took place, officiated by the Mayor of Ilida, Christos Christodoulopoulos, and the Deputy Minister of Education, Dimitris Baxevanakis. Both highlighted the role of the event organizer, the Federation of Olympia, in promoting Olympic Values and showcasing the region of Ilia.
The President of the Federation of Olympia, Mrs. Sofia Hintziou–Kontogianni, emphasized that:
“Today, more than ever, this fundamental prerequisite for the staging of the Games—the Truce—may be the most important legacy of Olympism. Because for the peoples of the world, and humanity as a whole, to have a future, hostilities between us must cease and peace must prevail. And the first step is for all of us together to say: ‘let everyone set out for Olympia’.”
During the event, a performance recreating Olympic sports was presented by students of the Skourochori Primary School, which implements the Erasmus program “The School is the Flame”.
A special award was presented to Giannis Tripylas, who led the Route of Truce, and to Dr. Spyros Tzoulekis, former Deputy Mayor of Ilida, for his continuous contribution to The Route of Truce. Refreshments were kindly offered by the cultural associations of Ilida, Kalyvia, Avgeio, and “Pyrron”.
The event concluded with a concert by the band Passepartout, where runners and musicians came together on stage in an atmosphere of joy and celebration.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Dimitris Baxevanakis, Mayor of Ilida Mr. Christos Christodoulopoulos, Deputy Mayor Mr. Vasilis Seintis (representing the Mayor of Pyrgos), Vice President of the Municipal Council of Ancient Olympia and Secretary General of the Federation of Olympia Mrs. Anna Papaioannou Georgakopoulou, the Director of the Ilia Police Directorate and representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Police Mr. Apostolos Martzaklis, former MP and Minister Mr. Giorgos Kontogiannis, political candidate Mr. Thanos Vlangkoulis, Mr. Panos Bramos representing the Region of Western Greece, Regional Councilor Mr. Giorgos Chinos, municipal councilors, representatives of associations, and a large audience.
Short video – Opening Ceremony of the Route of Truce 2019:
Concert – Opening Ceremony of the Route of Truce 2019:
